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Clay County (Earth/North America/United States/Minnesota/Clay County) Fraternity Hazing Attorneys | $24M in Pike Settlements Exposed | Attorney911 — The Firm That Shut Down Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu | Federal Court | Evidence Preservation Specialists | 1-888-ATTY-911

February 23, 2026 12 min read
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Hazing Lawyers in Clay County, MN | Attorney 911 Fights for Victims

Justice for Hazing Victims in Clay County and Beyond

If your child has been the victim of fraternity hazing, sorority abuse, or other dangerous initiation rituals in Clay County, MN, you are not alone. Attorney 911 is a national hazing litigation team currently fighting a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for a student hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure due to extreme hazing. We bring that same aggressive representation to Clay County families.

We serve Clay County, MN, and nationwide. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Clay County Families Need a Hazing Lawyer

Hazing is not just “boys being boys” or “tradition.” It is assault, battery, and sometimes torture—and it happens right here in Clay County.

Hazing in Clay County: The Reality

Clay County is home to Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), Concordia College, and North Dakota State University (just across the river in Fargo). These institutions have active Greek life communities, including chapters of major national fraternities and sororities like:

  • Pi Kappa Phi
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
  • Sigma Chi
  • Kappa Sigma
  • Phi Delta Theta
  • Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta)
  • Alpha Phi

These same organizations have been involved in multi-million-dollar lawsuits across the country for hazing deaths and injuries. The same fraternities that waterboarded a student in Houston, forced alcohol poisoning in Louisiana, and caused traumatic brain injuries in Pennsylvania have chapters near Clay County.

If your child was hazed in Clay County, we can help.

What Is Hazing? Clay County’s Legal Definition

Under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 609.2247), hazing is defined as:

“Any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is intended to cause, bodily harm, or recklessly endangers the health or safety of a person.”

Examples of Hazing in Clay County

Hazing can take many forms, including:

Physical Abuse

  • Forced excessive exercise (500+ squats, 100+ pushups)
  • Beatings with wooden paddles or other objects
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Exposure to extreme cold or heat

Forced Consumption

  • Binge drinking (forced to consume entire bottles of alcohol)
  • Forced eating (hot dogs, milk, peppercorns until vomiting)
  • Consumption of non-food substances

Psychological Torture

  • Waterboarding or simulated drowning
  • Hog-tying or restraint
  • Humiliation (forced nudity, carrying sexual objects)
  • Threats of expulsion or physical harm

Dangerous Activities

  • “The Gauntlet” (forced drinking stations)
  • “Big Brother/Little Brother” rituals with extreme physical demands
  • Late-night driving while exhausted

If your child experienced any of these, they were hazed—and they have legal rights.

The Hazing Crisis in Clay County: What Parents Need to Know

1. Hazing Is Illegal in Minnesota

  • Minnesota Statute § 609.2247 makes hazing a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $3,000 in fines.
  • If hazing causes serious bodily harm or death, it can be charged as a felony.
  • Consent is NOT a defense—even if your child “agreed” to participate, the law still holds perpetrators accountable.

2. Universities and Fraternities Are Liable

Institutions like Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) and Concordia College have a legal duty to protect students. When they fail, they can be held accountable.

Who Can Be Sued in a Clay County Hazing Case?

Defendant Why They’re Liable
Local Fraternity/Sorority Chapter Directly organized and conducted hazing
National Organization Failed to supervise; knew about hazing risks
University/College Failed to monitor Greek life; allowed dangerous conditions
Individual Members Participated in or facilitated hazing
House Corporations Owned property where hazing occurred
Alumni Hosted hazing events at their homes

3. Hazing Causes Permanent Damage

Hazing doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it can cause life-threatening injuries, including:

  • Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown leading to kidney failure)
  • Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal)
  • Traumatic brain injuries (from beatings or falls)
  • Hypothermia or heatstroke (from exposure)
  • PTSD, anxiety, and depression (long-term psychological harm)

Our client in Houston was hospitalized for 4 days with kidney failure after being waterboarded and forced to do 500 squats. This could happen to your child in Clay County.

Clay County Hazing Cases: What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

  • Even if your child says they’re “fine,” hazing injuries can be delayed.
  • Symptoms like dark urine, severe muscle pain, or confusion could indicate rhabdomyolysis or alcohol poisoning—both medical emergencies.
  • Document everything—hospital records will be crucial evidence.

Step 2: Preserve All Evidence

Hazing cases are won or lost on evidence. Do not delete anything.

Save these immediately:

  • Text messages (GroupMe, Snapchat, iMessage, WhatsApp)
  • Social media posts (Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, Facebook)
  • Photos/videos of injuries or hazing activities
  • Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules, rules)
  • Witness contact information (other pledges, friends, bystanders)
  • Medical records (hospital bills, doctor’s notes, therapy records)

Step 3: Do NOT Talk to the Fraternity or University Alone

  • Universities and fraternities protect themselves first, not your child.
  • They will try to minimize the incident, shift blame, or offer a low settlement.
  • Never give a recorded statement without an attorney present.

Step 4: Contact a Clay County Hazing Lawyer Immediately

  • Minnesota’s statute of limitations is 2 years—if you wait, you could lose your right to sue.
  • Evidence disappears quickly (fraternities delete messages, universities destroy records).
  • We offer free, confidential consultations—call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Clay County Hazing Case?

1. We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now

We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston for a student hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure after being waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, and struck with wooden paddles.

We know how to win hazing cases—and we’ll bring that same fight to Clay County.

2. Former Insurance Defense Attorneys

Both Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena used to defend insurance companies—so we know exactly how they’ll try to deny your claim. Now, we use that insider knowledge to maximize your compensation.

3. Nationwide Reach, Local Service for Clay County

While we’re based in Texas, we serve hazing victims nationwide, including Clay County. We can:

  • Offer video consultations for Clay County families
  • Travel to Clay County for depositions, meetings, and trials
  • Pursue cases in federal court if needed

4. No Upfront Costs – We Only Get Paid If You Win

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

5. Proven Results in Hazing Cases

We’ve secured multi-million-dollar settlements in personal injury cases, including:

  • $10.1 million for the family of Stone Foltz (Pi Kappa Alpha hazing death)
  • $6.1 million jury verdict for the family of Maxwell Gruver (Phi Delta Theta hazing death)
  • $110+ million for the family of Timothy Piazza (Beta Theta Pi hazing death)

We will fight for Clay County families just as hard.

Clay County Hazing Lawsuit: What Compensation Can You Recover?

If your child was hazed in Clay County, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Category Examples
Medical Expenses Hospital bills, ER visits, therapy, future treatment
Lost Wages Time missed from work or internships
Pain & Suffering Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD
Mental Anguish Anxiety, depression, fear of retaliation
Punitive Damages Additional money to punish the fraternity/university for egregious conduct
Wrongful Death If hazing led to death, compensation for funeral costs, lost future earnings, and loss of companionship

In our current case, we’re seeking $10 million for a student hospitalized with kidney failure. Your Clay County case could be worth just as much.

Clay County Hazing Lawyers: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I sue if my child was hazed in Clay County?

Yes. If your child was injured due to hazing, you can sue the fraternity, national organization, university, and individual members.

2. What if my child “consented” to hazing?

Consent is NOT a defense in Minnesota. Even if your child agreed to participate, the law still holds the fraternity and university accountable.

3. How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Clay County?

Minnesota’s statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of injury. Do not wait—evidence disappears quickly.

4. Can I sue if my child was hazed at a fraternity near Clay County (like NDSU in Fargo)?

Yes. We serve Clay County, MN, and the entire region, including Fargo, Moorhead, and surrounding areas.

5. What if the fraternity says it was “just a prank”?

Hazing is not a prank—it’s assault, battery, and sometimes torture. If your child was injured, they deserve justice.

6. Will my child get expelled if we sue?

No. Your child is the victim, not the perpetrator. Universities cannot retaliate against students for pursuing legal action.

7. How much does a Clay County hazing lawyer cost?

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

Clay County Hazing Lawyers: Take Action Now

Hazing is illegal, dangerous, and unacceptable. If your child was hazed in Clay County, you have the right to justice and compensation.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 Now

Free, confidential consultation – available 24/7

📧 Email ralph@atty911.com

We respond within hours

💬 Text “HAZING” to 1-888-ATTY-911

Immediate response from our legal team

We fight for Clay County families. Let’s hold them accountable together.

Clay County Hazing Resources

Local Resources

  • Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) Title IX Office – (218) 477-2174
  • Concordia College Title IX Office – (218) 299-3514
  • Clay County Attorney’s Office – (218) 299-5031
  • Fargo Police Department – (701) 235-4493 (for criminal complaints)

National Resources

Clay County Hazing Lawyers: Our Promise to You

At Attorney 911, we don’t just see your child as a case—we see them as a person who was wronged. We will fight for you with:

Aggressive legal representation – We don’t back down from powerful institutions
Compassionate client care – We treat you like family
Proven results – Multi-million-dollar settlements in hazing cases
Nationwide reach – We serve Clay County and beyond

If your child was hazed in Clay County, call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Justice starts today.

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